METS seeks ways to improve Mobility program

Public airs concern at talk

Issues concerning wheelchair lift safety, the need for more buses and Metropolitan Evansville Transit System (METS) drivers knowing how to properly handle service dogs arose during a public discussion on transportation issues Tuesday at Central Library.

The Advisory Board on Disability Services invited METS Director Tony Kirkland to a question-and-answer-style meeting concerning current issues with METS Mobility. Kirkland said usage on METS Mobility is up significantly, sometimes topping 150 passengers a day. However, growing bus ridership has created some cause for concern among regular users.

"We have some growing pains, and we're trying to adjust ourselves," he said.

Don Counts, vice chairman and member of Governor's Council for People with Disabilities, read the state policy for transportation to a crowd of more than 25 community members.

Its stated goal is "to accommodate needs of people with disabilities including accessible buses, routes, stops, day/evening hours and accessible mobility service with door-to-door service for full participation in the community of one's choice."

METS Mobility serves area residents at least 65 years old and those unable to use the Metropolitan Evansville Transit System's fixed-route service because of a documented disability. There are 14 METS Mobility buses, Kirkland said, that typically hold five wheelchairs and eight riders at one time, and are running between 200 and 250 routes per day.

According to fees listed on the METS Mobility website, fares for the door-to-door service are $2 (Americans with Disabilities Act clearance), $3 (convenience) or $5 (residents outside the city). Cards covering 10 rides are available for $20 (ADA), $30 (convenience) and $50 (residents outside the city). For scheduling reasons, the transit system requests a day of advance notice.

Kirkland said the expected outcome of Tuesday night was to learn from each other and let the community know he is accessible and willing to listen to the public voice their problems while working together to come up with a solution.

"Some of the first hybrid buses, those ramps are very steep and they are very dangerous," Jennie Downey, member of the disability advisory board, said. "And I have been flipped head forward going down, so I am real paranoid."

Downey said the ramps on newer buses don't seem quite as steep.

Mayor Lloyd Winnecke said Kirkland has done a good job in his eight months as METS director addressing the overall needs of the system.

"And there were many, many needs," Winnecke admitted.

Winnecke suggested the city's new website could be an easy way of bettering communication between the transportation system and users, and discussing no-slip strips for bus ramps to address safety.

"I think that is a pretty easy fix to something that is a general concern for anyone who uses METS Mobility," he said.

Other concerns Tuesday night from the group included the need for more drivers, inaccessible sidewalks near bus stops and ways to be more cost effective.

Kirkland said some of his main goals are to ensure safety of passengers and get riders where they need to be on time. He simply wants everyone to be happy and continue using METS.

"I'm always open to making the system work better," he said. "And we don't have all the answers, but we are willing to cooperatively work with you and keep the dialogue open."